Students
Ayrshire College - Kilmarnock & Kilwinning
Nursing 2013-14
We are SWAP:
“I was a stay-at-home mum, looking after three children. Prior to that, I was a member of the British Army, and I knew I wouldn’t be a stay-at-home mum forever. I have wanted to go into nursing for a while, but I wasn’t really at the right place in my life to pursue it until now. My future plans are to go on to university and study a degree in Mental Health Nursing. I have had a fantastic year and thoroughly enjoyed the programme. I have grown in confidence, not only in my ability to learn, but in myself as a whole. The SWAP programme has given me a fantastic chance of pursuing a career in Mental Health Nursing, something I didn’t think was possible before now.” – Sherrene, 33
“My name is Gemma. I come from a small village called Ballantrae. Before coming to college I worked in a factory. I put my life on hold to care for my grandfather when he was ill. After he passed away, I decided it was my time to do something. I have had an excellent experience on the SWAP programme. It has really set me up for university. I look forward to becoming a qualified nurse and securing a job.” – Gemma, 28
“Before I started the SWAP course, I was working full-time for a mobile phone network. Nursing was always something I wanted to do, so I checked into it, found that I met the course requirements and applied. I have really enjoyed the SWAP course and I have learnt a lot about nursing. I’m looking forward to going to uni and to being successful in my nursing career.” – Amy, 23
“I was working full-time as a carer and taking care of my family before I enrolled in college. I felt that I wanted to expand my knowledge in the Care sector. The nursing profession prospects were achievable and exciting, so I decided to go for it. I have enjoyed the programme. My knowledge base has grown and I will be able to use this knowledge in my future career.” – Yvonne, 52
“Before college I worked as a care assistant in a care home. My youngest daughter started primary school, and I felt it was my time, so I enrolled. I have enjoyed my year at college and enjoyed my subjects. The experience of meeting new friends and building up my confidence has been great.” – Naomi, 36
“Hi, I’m Kelly. I’m a mother of three, and I worked as a mortgage advisor prior to attending college. My older children are at school and my youngest is in nursery, so I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. I felt the SWAP programme course content was excellent preparation for university and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.” – Kelly, 34
“I was working full-time at a holiday park as an administrator, and had recently had a baby when I decided to enrol on the programme. Nursing is a career I have wanted for a long time, but the time to pursue it was never right. The recent birth of my child gave me the determination to go after my goals. I reduced work to part-time so I could do the course. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the course. The subjects were fantastic, as were the tutors, and I gained confidence and great knowledge for the future. I was unsuccessful in gaining a place at university on my first attempt, but I will continue to work hard on the HNC and will reapply next year, to achieve the career I deeply want.” – Jade, 29
"Messages in a bottle" from our class to yours:
“At the beginning when you first start at college, you may question your decision and think you have bitten off more than you can chew. The first few weeks are crammed full of information, coupled with the challenge of meeting new people --- no wonder if you feel overwhelmed. Before you know it, it will be exam time at Christmas and you really will be surprised by how much you know. Have faith in yourself and your abilities. June comes around extremely quickly and you will no doubt surprise yourself again by how well you have done. So, relax and enjoy the experience. Believe you can do it!”
“20 years I was out of education and coming to college was daunting. I have two children and had to learn to prioritise quickly. Use Moodle and take notes. Read the packs that are issued. It is tough and stressful, and at times you will wonder if you can do it. You have to put the time and effort into the studying! Attendance is a huge part of it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Good luck! (If I can do this, then anybody can! J)”
“Hello future SWAP students! This will be the quickest year of your life. The subjects are interesting and there is a lot of information given, so ensure you take notes and read over them regularly to give you the best chance in your exams. Don’t leave studying till the last minute. Good luck and enjoy the course!”
“I was a stay-at-home mum, looking after three children. Prior to that, I was a member of the British Army, and I knew I wouldn’t be a stay-at-home mum forever. I have wanted to go into nursing for a while, but I wasn’t really at the right place in my life to pursue it until now. My future plans are to go on to university and study a degree in Mental Health Nursing. I have had a fantastic year and thoroughly enjoyed the programme. I have grown in confidence, not only in my ability to learn, but in myself as a whole. The SWAP programme has given me a fantastic chance of pursuing a career in Mental Health Nursing, something I didn’t think was possible before now.” – Sherrene, 33
“My name is Gemma. I come from a small village called Ballantrae. Before coming to college I worked in a factory. I put my life on hold to care for my grandfather when he was ill. After he passed away, I decided it was my time to do something. I have had an excellent experience on the SWAP programme. It has really set me up for university. I look forward to becoming a qualified nurse and securing a job.” – Gemma, 28
“Before I started the SWAP course, I was working full-time for a mobile phone network. Nursing was always something I wanted to do, so I checked into it, found that I met the course requirements and applied. I have really enjoyed the SWAP course and I have learnt a lot about nursing. I’m looking forward to going to uni and to being successful in my nursing career.” – Amy, 23
“I was working full-time as a carer and taking care of my family before I enrolled in college. I felt that I wanted to expand my knowledge in the Care sector. The nursing profession prospects were achievable and exciting, so I decided to go for it. I have enjoyed the programme. My knowledge base has grown and I will be able to use this knowledge in my future career.” – Yvonne, 52
“Before college I worked as a care assistant in a care home. My youngest daughter started primary school, and I felt it was my time, so I enrolled. I have enjoyed my year at college and enjoyed my subjects. The experience of meeting new friends and building up my confidence has been great.” – Naomi, 36
“Hi, I’m Kelly. I’m a mother of three, and I worked as a mortgage advisor prior to attending college. My older children are at school and my youngest is in nursery, so I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. I felt the SWAP programme course content was excellent preparation for university and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.” – Kelly, 34
“I was working full-time at a holiday park as an administrator, and had recently had a baby when I decided to enrol on the programme. Nursing is a career I have wanted for a long time, but the time to pursue it was never right. The recent birth of my child gave me the determination to go after my goals. I reduced work to part-time so I could do the course. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the course. The subjects were fantastic, as were the tutors, and I gained confidence and great knowledge for the future. I was unsuccessful in gaining a place at university on my first attempt, but I will continue to work hard on the HNC and will reapply next year, to achieve the career I deeply want.” – Jade, 29
"Messages in a bottle" from our class to yours:
“At the beginning when you first start at college, you may question your decision and think you have bitten off more than you can chew. The first few weeks are crammed full of information, coupled with the challenge of meeting new people --- no wonder if you feel overwhelmed. Before you know it, it will be exam time at Christmas and you really will be surprised by how much you know. Have faith in yourself and your abilities. June comes around extremely quickly and you will no doubt surprise yourself again by how well you have done. So, relax and enjoy the experience. Believe you can do it!”
“20 years I was out of education and coming to college was daunting. I have two children and had to learn to prioritise quickly. Use Moodle and take notes. Read the packs that are issued. It is tough and stressful, and at times you will wonder if you can do it. You have to put the time and effort into the studying! Attendance is a huge part of it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Good luck! (If I can do this, then anybody can! J)”
“Hello future SWAP students! This will be the quickest year of your life. The subjects are interesting and there is a lot of information given, so ensure you take notes and read over them regularly to give you the best chance in your exams. Don’t leave studying till the last minute. Good luck and enjoy the course!”
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